3 Examples of Enduring Issue Essays to Write Yours Like a Pro

Enduring issues are lasting problems of the world. When writing a paper for the NYS Regent Exam, you’ll get a task to craft an essay about some of those issues. It would help to have a few samples beforehand to know how to write it well, wouldn’t it?

In this article, you’ll find three enduring issues essay examples. They serve to reveal the nature of this paper type. Also, you’ll get the enduring issues list and read some practical tips on enduring issues essay writing.

What Is an Enduring Issues Essay?

First, let’s explain: What is an enduring issue?

Enduring meaning is “lasting.” So, if we needed to provide an enduring issue definition, we would say that it’s a problem that exists across time. It’s an issue in global history that many societies have attempted to address with varying degrees of success.

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How to Write an Enduring Issues Essay

Before writing an enduring issues essay, you examine the provided documents to analyze which issues exist there. There can be several different issues, and you have the element of choice here:

  1. Name and define the enduring issue you’ll discuss.
  2. Choose the documents among those provided to support your thesis.
  3. Develop your essay introduction and thesis. (Use the formula: Thesis = Enduring Issue + Why It’s Important + Topics of Discussion. See the example below.)
  4. Write a body. (The number of paragraphs = the number of documents you address in the essay.)
  5. Conclude an essay, restating the claim in your thesis.

Here’s an example of a thesis statement in your enduring issues essay:

Our colleague Melissa Keele did a great job visualizing the structure of a body paragraph. It should include the following elements:

As for enduring issues essay conclusion examples, let’s go to the complete samples below. Such an essay’s concluding paragraphs are usually short (3-5 sentences). Just reiterate your claim again, insisting on its significance and effect over time.

Enduring Issues Essay: Examples

As a rule, prompts for enduring issues essays are super detailed (1). Read them carefully and examine the corresponding documents precisely — and you’ll know what and how to cover in your paper.

Below are several samples of complete essays. Each example is on a different issue for you to see how to structure this type of writing.

Sample 1: Social Studies topic

Conflict, an enduring issue throughout human history, has shaped societies, cultures, and civilizations. Whether arising from ideological differences, territorial disputes, or struggles for power, conflict remains a force that influences human interactions. This essay delves into the persistent nature of conflict, examining its various forms, underlying causes, and its profound impact on societies across time.Throughout history, conflicts have arisen due to multifaceted reasons such as competition for resources, ideological disparities, and struggles for power, exerting significant impacts on societies, cultures, and individuals.

One of the primary causes of enduring conflict is the competition for resources. Scarce resources, including land, water, minerals, and economic opportunities, have often sparked disputes between groups, communities, or nations. For instance, ancient wars fought over fertile lands or trade routes illustrate the deep-rooted connection between resources and conflict. Similarly, contemporary issues like disputes over oil reserves or water rights continue to fuel conflicts globally. The inherent human desire to secure essential resources for survival often escalates into prolonged competition, impacting the stability and development of societies.

Moreover, ideological disparities have historically fueled enduring conflicts. Differences in religious beliefs, political ideologies, and societal values have frequently led to clashes between individuals and groups. Examples such as religious wars during the Crusades or the ideological confrontations during the Cold War era highlight the profound impact of differing ideologies on societal divisions and conflicts. Even in modern times, ideological conflicts manifest in debates over human rights, governance systems, and societal norms, often leading to societal fragmentation and tension.

Sample 2: Global History and Geography topic

In this sample, we’ve covered just one body paragraph for you to see how to structure it. Two other paragraphs about Maximillian Robespierre and Napoleon Bonaparte would have the same format, with corresponding evidence from historical documents.

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Sample 3: Climate Change topic

Climate change is an enduring issue that transcends geographical boundaries and affects all facets of life on our planet. This essay delves into the persistent nature of climate change, exploring its causes, widespread ramifications, and the urgent need for concerted action to address this global challenge. The issue of climate change, driven primarily by human activities such as greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation, poses an existential threat, impacting ecosystems, economies, and the well-being of current and future generations across the globe.

At the core of the enduring issue of climate change lies the detrimental impact of human activities on the environment. Greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels, deforestation, industrial processes, and agricultural activities have accelerated the planet’s warming. The resulting consequences (rising global temperatures, altered weather patterns, melting polar ice caps, and intensified natural disasters) exemplify the far-reaching effects of human-induced climate change. Moreover, these changes disproportionately affect vulnerable communities, exacerbating social inequalities and threatening livelihoods, food security, and access to clean water.

Furthermore, the issue of climate change is deeply interconnected with other enduring issues. For instance, it intersects with economic disparities as marginalized communities bear the brunt of environmental degradation while having fewer resources to adapt. Additionally, it intertwines with political challenges as nations grapple with policies to mitigate emissions and collaborate on global efforts. Addressing climate change demands a multifaceted approach that considers its interlinkages with social, economic, and political factors.

Tips on Structuring Your Enduring Issues Essay

Now that you have enduring issues essay examples and know what to include in each paragraph, the final note from us:

These tiny steps and easy-to-follow rules will help you craft an A-worthy paper.

1) Focus on evidence-based claims and arguments. Make every sentence of your essay matter: Avoid generic categories, conflicts, and points.

2) Don’t be afraid to explore beyond the given documents. Enduring issues essays are also about your knowledge. So if, after analyzing the sources, you see the lack of points to cover the issue, feel free to explore more and support your claims with extra points.

3) Stay objective. This essay isn’t opinion or reflective but analytical and based on evidence. Structure it accordingly:

Ready to Write Yours?

An enduring issues essay is about a lasting problem in global history. It’s a part of the Regents Examinations for New York State’s students. You’ll get a detailed prompt with guidelines.

So, you’ll need to define the issue you’ll discuss and find the evidence in the documents the examiners will give you. Use the above enduring issues essay examples as samples to understand the structure. We hope they’ll help you format your paper the best you can.

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